MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Monday, April 28, 2025
8:00 AM
Capitol Extension, Room E1.012
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs was held on Monday, April 28, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Charles Perry, Chair |
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None |
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Senator Kelly Hancock, Vice Chair |
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Senator Brian Birdwell |
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Senator César Blanco |
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Senator Roland Gutierrez |
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Senator Adam Hinojosa |
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Senator Nathan Johnson |
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Senator Lois Kolkhorst |
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Senator Kevin Sparks |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. There being a quorum present at 8:01 AM, the following business was transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Gutierrez, Senator Hinojosa, Senator Johnson, Senator Kolkhorst, and Senator Sparks.
The chair laid out SB 2568 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that SB 2568 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1959 and recognized the author, Senator Hagenbuch, to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Hagenbuch to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that SB 1959 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2159 and recognized the author, Senator Flores, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that SB 2159 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 243 and recognized the author, Senator Flores, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that SB 243 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1586 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Schwertner to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that SB 1586 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 9:02 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 1891 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that SB 1891 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 9:08 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1442 and recognized Senator Blanco, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Blanco sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Blanco to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that SB 1442 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 243. Senator Hancock moved that SB 243 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. The following members submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill: Senator Birdwell, Senator Johnson, and Senator Kolkhorst.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1442. Senator Blanco moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Blanco moved that SB 1442 do not pass but that CSSB 1442 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. The following members submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill: Senator Birdwell, Senator Johnson, and Senator Kolkhorst.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1586. Senator Hancock moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved that SB 1586 do not pass but that CSSB 1586 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. The following members submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill: Senator Birdwell, Senator Johnson, and Senator Kolkhorst.
Senator Hancock moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1959. Senator Hancock moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved that SB 1959 do not pass but that CSSB 1959 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. The following members submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill: Senator Birdwell, Senator Johnson, and Senator Kolkhorst.
Senator Hancock moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2568. Senator Hancock moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved that SB 2568 do not pass but that CSSB 2568 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. The following members submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill: Senator Birdwell, Senator Johnson, and Senator Kolkhorst.
Senator Hancock moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 9:16 AM Senator Perry moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Charles Perry, Chair
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Jayna Grove, Clerk